Floating Alone by Zenina Masters Read Free Book Online Page A

start charging when folks stare.”
    Irdan chuckled. “I will show you how to do a glamour. You can make yourself look mostly like yourself again.”
    She nodded. “I will put it on the list.”
    Maweel started driving, and they cruised through the early-evening light. They pulled up to an observatory, and the line of expensive cars with their drivers leaning against them indicated the type of folks who were inside.
    He pulled up near the entryway where a small gathering of press was waiting. Irdan got out and opened her door for her.
    Marina kept her knees together, moved to the edge of the seat, pivoted and let Irdan help her out. He assisted her into a steady posture and closed the door before turning to face the press. “Here we go, your first time as a fey. Enjoy it and hold onto me if you need to.”
    She gripped his arm as the first flash went off. They walked through the short line, and she kept her meet-the-public face on the whole time until they were inside the observatory.
    It was a common enough place to hold a fundraiser, and holding them was its own fundraiser. The fee was astronomical.
    Irdan produced an invitation at the door, and then, they were swept into the gathering of magic, money and philanthropy.
     
    She was speaking with a few of the local researchers when one of them reached a conclusion. “You are Dr. Wake. Dr. Marina Wake.”
    She wrinkled her nose. “Yes.”
    “You look... different.” The indigenous-species researcher stared at the markings.
    “Ah, that. Well, when you have a little magic in your blood and start dating another fey, things happen.” She smiled.
    “Well, you look amazing. How is the rescue centre?”
    His question made her light up and she spoke eagerly about the birth, the two expectant mothers and the releasing of the bachelors scheduled for the following day.
    When she came out of her enthusiastic conversation, she had gathered a crowd of worshipful onlookers.
    Irdan walked over from his conversation with Maweel. “Dearest, I think I have someone for you to meet.”
    She smiled at him and a few of her admirers asked for her card. She shrugged. “I apologize; I didn’t bring any. This was kind of sprung on me. Just look for the Wake Manatee Rescue.”
    They nodded with fatuous smiles.
    She blinked and turned toward Irdan. “Lead away.”
    He looked at her admirers and sighed, “We will also have to deal with this complication.”
    Marina wasn’t sure what he meant, but he took her by the hand and pulled her to the side of the room where all of the money was clustered together.
    “Marina, I would like to introduce you to Senator Imilia Nafore and Leforth Nafore. My parents.”
    The senator stared at her. “She doesn’t know how to work a glamour? I thought the court’s option was bad, but this one lacks control.”
    Her husband was a little less direct. He extended his hand, and his brows lifted at the contact. “Immy, you might want to shake her hand, and it will be a little clearer for you.”
    Imilia extended her hand, and her eyes widened on point of contact.
    “Pleased to meet you, Senator. Apparently, I am the creature of your nightmares.”
    “You are... you were...” She didn’t seem to know where to go.
    “I am Dr. Marina Wake of the Wake Manatee Rescue. I have been seeing your son for a few days, but we have met on several occasions at events like this. He finally made a move, and I said yes.”
    “You don’t quite have a grasp of your new circumstance, correct?”
    Marina smiled. “That is correct. It is my first day with a new suit, so to speak. Yesterday, I was a curvy brunette, and today, I am what you see in front of you.”
    Imilia blinked. “And you are a siren.”
    Irdan coughed. “I haven’t explained that to her yet, but it seems to simply hold folk in thrall, not drive them mad with lust.”
    Marina’s eyes widened, and she let go of the senator’s hand. “What has happened now?”
    “Another adaptation. Perhaps we are out